Collision detecting apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

A collision detecting apparatus has a plurality of collision detecting means and a determination means for determining a collision based on at least one of outputs of the plurality of collision detecting means. Each of the collision detecting means has a crank member and a deformation detecting member disposed at the center of a middle portion of the crank member for detecting a deformation of the middle portion. Each of the crank member has a first extending portion extending from a first end of the middle portion and a second extending portion extending from a second end of the middle portion in a direction opposite to the first extending portion. A first collision detecting means and a second collision detecting means are arranged in opposite directions between a reinforcement member and one of side members.

1. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having a reinforcement member and side members, the collision detecting apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of collision detecting means located between the reinforcement member and one of the side members; and 
 a determination means determining a collision based on at least one of outputs of the plurality of collision detecting means, wherein 
 each of the plurality of collision detecting means has a crank member and a deformation detecting member, 
 the crank member includes a middle portion having a resiliency, a first extending portion extending from a first end of the middle portion and a second extending portion extending from a second end of the middle portion in a direction opposite to the first extending portion, 
 the deformation detecting member is disposed at a center of the middle portion for detecting a deformation of the middle portion, wherein a first collision detecting means, which is one of the plurality of collision detecting means, and a second collision detecting means, which is another one of the plurality of collision detecting means, are arranged in opposite directions such that the middle portion of the first collision detecting means is parallel to the middle portion of the second collision detecting means, the first extending portion of the first collision detecting means and the second extending portion of the second collision detecting means connect to the reinforcement member, and the second extending portion of the first collision detecting means and the first extending portion of the second collision detecting means connect to the side member. 
 
   
   
     2. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first collision detecting means is arranged such that the first extending portion connects to a first part of a surface of the reinforcement member, the surface being opposed to a surface of the side member, and the second extending portion connects to a second part of the surface of the side member, and 
 the second collision detecting means is arranged such that the first extending portion connects to a first part of the surface of the side member and the second extending portion connects to a second part of the reinforcement member, 
 the first parts of the reinforcement member and the side member being located higher than the second parts of the reinforcement member and the side member, respectively. 
 
   
   
     3. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first collision detecting means is arranged such that the first extending portion connects to a first part of a surface of the reinforcement member, the surface being opposed to a surface of the side member, and the second extending portion connects to a second part of the surface of the side member, and 
 the second collision detecting means is arranged such that the first extending portion connects to a first part of the side member and the second extending portion connects to a second part of the reinforcement member, 
 the first parts of the reinforcement member and the side member being on a right side of the second parts of the reinforcement member and the side member, respectively. 
 
   
   
     4. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of collision detecting means is disposed such that the first extending portion and the second extending portion are maintained parallel to each other when the middle portion is deformed. 
   
   
     5. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of collision detecting means are disposed such that a total resiliency in a front direction of the vehicle is equal to a total resiliency in a rear direction of the vehicle. 
   
   
     6. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the collision detecting means are located between the reinforcement member and the side member at a front part of the vehicle. 
   
   
     7. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the collision detecting means are located between the reinforcement member and the side member at a rear part of the vehicle. 
   
   
     8. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a zero point correction processing means that corrects a zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means based on at least one of a steering angle, a yaw rate, a diagnostic information, a vertical pitch, and a speed of the vehicle. 
   
   
     9. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the zero point correction processing means corrects the zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means when the steering angle is within a predetermined range. 
   
   
     10. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the zero point correction processing means corrects the zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means when the yaw rate is within a predetermined range. 
   
   
     11. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the zero point correction processing means corrects the zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means when it is determined that there is no failure in the vehicle. 
   
   
     12. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the zero point correction processing means corrects the zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means when the pitch is within a predetermined range. 
   
   
     13. The collision detecting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the zero point correction processing means corrects the zero point of the plurality of collision detecting means when outputs of the collision detecting means are within a predetermined range.